1
Photo Info
Beta Technologies Alia USAF

Top 10 most read eVTOL stories of 2022

By eVTOL | December 21, 2022

Estimated reading time 10 minutes, 47 seconds.

This year, eVTOL.com made a significant move by combining with the world’s most popular vertical lift news site. While the publication found a new home within verticalmag.com, its readers have continued to find the same industry-leading coverage of the rapidly-developing eVTOL and urban air mobility markets. Reflecting back on the past year, we took a look at the 10 most popular eVTOL stories of 2022, measured by pageviews. (Click on the story titles to read the original articles.)

10. Battery breakthrough: A look inside Cuberg’s new lithium metal cell

Cuberg
Cuberg claims its lithium metal cells are among the highest performing and longest-lived lithium metal cells in the world. Cuberg Image

California-based battery startup Cuberg has claimed a breakthrough in battery development. The company told Vertical in July that its lithium metal cells are among the highest performing and longest-lived lithium metal cells in the world, sufficient enough to support the expected flight range and lifetime requirements of all typical eVTOL aircraft coming to market.

9. Lilium highlights eVTOL design changes, introduces short running landing capability

Lilium
Lilium revealed eVTOL aircraft design changes to shareholders. Lilium Image

With plans to build its first conforming eVTOL aircraft in 2023, German startup Lilium shared aircraft design changes with shareholders in June. Among the changes includes a new short running landing capability, which the company claims will increase its battery reserve range.

8. Lilium extends eVTOL type certification timeline to 2025

Lilium
German-based Lilium said it is extending its type certification program for its Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft to 2025. Lilium Image

Lilium’s previous goal was to receive type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024, but company executives adjusted its timeline to 2025 earlier this year based on its current design activity status to develop a safe aircraft, its discussions with regulators, and the global supply chain disruptions, they said.

7. The FAA makes a U-turn on its approach to powered-lift, as the eVTOL industry tries to hang on

Joby
The FAA has publicly stated that it intends to support the aggressive timelines that the eVTOL companies have been working toward. Joby Image

eVTOL developers in the U.S. received surprising news in May when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reportedly decided to change direction on how it would certify winged eVTOL aircraft — moving from a pathway used for small airplanes (Part 23 of the federal code) to the special class of “powered-lift” aircraft (section 21.17(b)).

6. Bellwether’s free flight reveal of half-scale Volar eVTOL aircraft

Bellwether is aiming to develop a private urban aircraft with a hidden propulsion system for intracity travel. Bellwether Image

Coming off as the second most read story of 2021 for its compact, eye-catching design, U.K.-based Bellwether Industries released footage of its first untethered flight test with a half-scale Volar eVTOL prototype. The flight test took place in Dubai in November 2021.  

5. Whisper Aero shares details on its ultra-quiet electric propulsor technology

Whisper Aero
Whisper Aero said its next-generation propulsors are designed to be ultra-quiet and efficient. The company is deploying its technology through the Whisper Drone design, as well as a nine-passenger commercial aircraft, dubbed the Whisper Jet, that can utilize existing aviation infrastructure. Whisper Aero Image

Whisper Aero isn’t developing an eVTOL aircraft, but its next-generation propulsor technology is designed to be ultra-quiet and efficient, according to the company. With noise being a critical element for public acceptance of urban air mobility vehicles, the eVTOL industry can glean lessons from Whisper’s technology.

4. A glimpse into Wisk’s 6th-generation eVTOL aircraft

Wisk
American broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper with Gary Gysin, Wisk’s CEO, during a segment of CBS’ 60 Minutes. Wisk Aero Image

During a segment of CBS’ 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper in April, Gary Gysin, Wisk’s CEO, shared for the first time a glimpse into the company’s sixth-generation autonomous eVTOL aircraft. The segment also featured California-based Joby Aviation and Texas-based LIFT Aircraft, as well as cameos from Beta Technologies, Archer Aviation, EHang, and Lilium, among others.

3. USAF achieves first crewed flight using Beta’s Alia electric aircraft

Beta Technologies Alia USAF
Major Jonathan Appleby became one of the first USAF pilots to fly an electric aircraft. Appleby flew Beta Technologies’ Alia aircraft on March 9 alongside Beta test pilot Camron Guthrie. Beta Technologies Image

Not long after the U.S. Air Force (USAF) announced its goal of achieving the first crewed flight of an eVTOL aircraft in February did the USAF achieve its mission. Hank “Hog” Griffiths and Major Jonathan Appleby became the first USAF pilots to fly Beta Technologies’ Alia electric aircraft in March.

2. Founders of JETX on its modular propulsion system designs

JETX claims its hidden propulsion system will not only improve the design of the eVTOL aircraft, but the vehicle body will act as an enclosure to reduce noise. JETX Image

Based in Orlando, Florida, JETX emerged onto the scene in 2021 when the company participated in the U.S. Air Force AFWERX HSVTOL Challenge. JETX is designing a modular propulsion system with vector thrust mechanisms that can be embedded in the airframe to create a hidden propulsion system.

1. The technology behind ZEVA’s plan to put an eVTOL in every garage

Zeva Zero
ZEVA launched in 2017 as an entry in the GoFly Prize competition, sponsored by Boeing. Photo courtesy of Nityia Przewlocki

After achieving its first untethered flight test with a full-sized ZEVA Zero in January, Vertical contributor Ben Forrest caught up with ZEVA to learn more about the technology behind its disc-shaped eVTOL aircraft.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HAI Heli-Expo 2024 Recap

Notice a spelling mistake or typo?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Report an error or typo

Have a story idea you would like to suggest?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Suggest a story